Community News

Thompson Smith and Puxon (TSP) Solicitors was pleased to once again sponsor the Colchester Forum Rotary Club’s Third annual Junior Choir competition. The competition is organised every year by Club member Alan Rustage (pictured).

The 2017 competition featured twelve choirs from primary and junior schools in Colchester and the surrounding area. A total of 500 children took part with schools from Colchester, Chappel, Tiptree, Great Tey, Dedham, West Bergholt, Great Horkesley, High Woods and Nayland.

The Trophy

There were 3 heats, which took place in early November, with the two best choirs from each heat progressing to the final, which took place on the evening of 24 November at the Weston Homes Community Stadium. Each choir sang a set song, which this year was “Believe” by Lin Marsh, allowing the adjudicators to compare each choir on a like for like basis, they then had the opportunity to sing a song of their own choice, accompanied by piano, or in some cases a backing track.

Choirs from the following schools made it through to the final: Baynards Tiptree; Colchester High School; Dedham; Heathlands, West Bergholt; St Mary’s and St Thomas More. The adjudicators, Tony Bloom, Monica Thomas, Wade Ablitt and Ella D’Arcy-Jones (pictured above right to left) had a very tough job choosing a winner as all of the finalists sang to a very high standard.

Richard Porter

Almost 600 parents and supporters were packed into the stadium. Also in attendance was the Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Gerard Oxford, who presented the winning choir with their trophy; Deputy Mayoress Cllr. Beverley Oxford; Colchester MP Will Quince, who sang “On the Street where you Live” on the evening, and Rotary President Ray Gamble.

There was a tingle of excitement in the air as the winning choir was announced. Congratulations to Dedham C.of.E Primary School who were crowned as winners on the evening.

A copy of the programme for the final which contains biographies for each of the panel of judges and a message from Ray Gamble, this year’s Rotary Club of Colchester Forum President, can be downloaded here. An ad-hoc collection on the evening raised £300 for the Samaritans and East Anglian Children’s Hospice (EACH).

TSP Director, Richard Porter (pictured), is a longstanding member of the Club and regularly attends their weekly lunch meetings at the Best Western Rose and Crown Hotel, East Gates. You can find out more about the club, when and where they meet and how to join here.